Golden Meadow teacher finalist for La. Teacher of the Year

Golden Meadow Middle School teacher Collette Williams poses for a photo at the school Wednesday.

Abby Tabor/Staff

Sydni DunnStaff Writer

Published: Thursday, July 11, 2013 at 9:45 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, July 11, 2013 at 9:45 p.m.

After 32 years in the classroom, many public school teachers would be ready for retirement. But Collette Williams, an English language arts teacher at Golden Meadow Middle School, jokes that she's just getting started.

Facts

How to become Teacher of the Year

- First Round: Top elementary, middle and high school teachers are picked. One overall winner named for each of the state's school districts. They submit extensive application packet filled with reflection essays, student performance data and a 20-minute video showing them in the classroom. This is the first year student growth was a factor in the process. - Second Round: Semifinalists are observed and evaluated by members of the state education department. - Finals: Based on feedback, five teachers are selected as finalists. Committee interviews them and submits recommendation to State School Superintendent John White.

“I'm trying for 40 years,” Williams said. “If teaching is your calling — and there's no doubt it's mine because kids are my passion — there's no other way to feel but excited. How can you not be excited?”

And Williams should be excited. The vibrant classroom veteran is one of five finalists for 2014 Louisiana Teacher of the Year. She will find out if she wins the title tonight.

Williams has taught multiple subjects and nearly every grade level at schools across south Louisiana, jumping from Grand Isle to Houma to New Orleans and back. She has worked at Golden Meadow since 2001 and now teaches eighth grade.

“I absolutely belong in middle school,” she said. “Middle school kids are a different animal.”

Williams described herself as an unconventional teacher who “doesn't sweat the small stuff.” She's a bit unorganized, and sometimes she loses her train of thought because “she's getting old,” she joked. But that doesn't mean she doesn't push her students to work hard. Williams emphasizes success.

“I refuse to let them fail,” she said. “It's not an option.”

She works with students until they understand the material, no matter how long it takes or how she has to teach it, she said. She also tries to keep her lessons fun and interesting.

Golden Meadow Principal Tim Long said Williams identifies each student's strengths and weaknesses. By the end of the year, he said, she knows the students so well that she can predict how they will perform on standardized tests. This year, her students' proficiency scores on the Louisiana Educational Assessment Program, or LEAP exam, jumped from 65 percent to 86 percent, he said.

“She has it,” Long said. “Whatever it is, she has it.”

Long said Williams builds respectful relationships with her students and motivates them. Before he could continue his compliments, Williams burst into his office.

“Have you seen this?” she asked, waving an application for a Lowe's school improvement grant. “We need to do this. What's our school code?”

Long laughed, “Yeah, that's Collette. She's always up to something.”

Williams is constantly ready to hit the ground running, he said. For an experienced teacher, that can be rare, especially in the wake of new curriculum requirements and changes.

“I'm a learner by heart,” she said. “And at the end of the day, at the end of this process, the Common Core, all of that, I'm focused on what's best for my kids at this time, on this day.”

Williams said that's one mark of a true educator.

“I'm not organized, I'm not always the most patient, but I do know what makes a good teacher,” she said, starting her list. “One: you have to have the willingness to form a relationship with the kids; two: you have to love the age level you are working with and love the subject matter; and three: you have to be willing to grow professionally and never give up on your job or on the people you work with.”

And though these are the qualities that have guided her to be a state finalist for the award, she remains humble.

“I keep thinking, ‘I don't have a master's (degree), I haven't written any books, I'm not published... I'm not big enough,'” she said. “But we're all girls from small towns and schools, and maybe we are big enough.”

In addition to Lafourche, the finalists are from Terrebonne Parish, Jefferson Davis Parish, St. Charles Parish and the Central Community School System.

“The teacher of the year should be a voice for kids and a voice for teachers, and that shouldn't be any different,” Williams said. “Whoever wins needs to be a voice for both. One can't succeed without the other.”

Although she has no idea who will win the award, she said, any of the candidates would fit that mold.

“But if I do win,” she said, “it would be a really cool way to end my career.”

<p>After 32 years in the classroom, many public school teachers would be ready for retirement. But Collette Williams, an English language arts teacher at Golden Meadow Middle School, jokes that she's just getting started.</p><div class="art_item art_item_inset art_item_facts">
<h3>Facts</h3>
<h4>How to become Teacher of the Year</h4>
<p>- First Round: Top elementary, middle and high school teachers are picked. One overall winner named for each of the state's school districts. They submit extensive application packet filled with reflection essays, student performance data and a 20-minute video showing them in the classroom. This is the first year student growth was a factor in the process. <br>- Second Round: Semifinalists are observed and evaluated by members of the state education department. <br>- Finals: Based on feedback, five teachers are selected as finalists. Committee interviews them and submits recommendation to State School Superintendent John White.</p>
</div>
<p>“I'm trying for 40 years,” Williams said. “If teaching is your calling — and there's no doubt it's mine because kids are my passion — there's no other way to feel but excited. How can you not be excited?”</p><p>And Williams should be excited. The vibrant classroom veteran is one of five finalists for 2014 Louisiana Teacher of the Year. She will find out if she wins the title tonight.</p><p>Williams has taught multiple subjects and nearly every grade level at schools across south Louisiana, jumping from Grand Isle to Houma to New Orleans and back. She has worked at Golden Meadow since 2001 and now teaches eighth grade.</p><p>“I absolutely belong in middle school,” she said. “Middle school kids are a different animal.”</p><p>Williams described herself as an unconventional teacher who “doesn't sweat the small stuff.” She's a bit unorganized, and sometimes she loses her train of thought because “she's getting old,” she joked. But that doesn't mean she doesn't push her students to work hard. Williams emphasizes success.</p><p>“I refuse to let them fail,” she said. “It's not an option.”</p><p>She works with students until they understand the material, no matter how long it takes or how she has to teach it, she said. She also tries to keep her lessons fun and interesting.</p><p>Golden Meadow Principal Tim Long said Williams identifies each student's strengths and weaknesses. By the end of the year, he said, she knows the students so well that she can predict how they will perform on standardized tests. This year, her students' proficiency scores on the Louisiana Educational Assessment Program, or LEAP exam, jumped from 65 percent to 86 percent, he said. </p><p>“She has it,” Long said. “Whatever it is, she has it.”</p><p>Long said Williams builds respectful relationships with her students and motivates them. Before he could continue his compliments, Williams burst into his office. </p><p>“Have you seen this?” she asked, waving an application for a Lowe's school improvement grant. “We need to do this. What's our school code?”</p><p>Long laughed, “Yeah, that's Collette. She's always up to something.”</p><p>Williams is constantly ready to hit the ground running, he said. For an experienced teacher, that can be rare, especially in the wake of new curriculum requirements and changes.</p><p>“I'm a learner by heart,” she said. “And at the end of the day, at the end of this process, the Common Core, all of that, I'm focused on what's best for my kids at this time, on this day.”</p><p>Williams said that's one mark of a true educator.</p><p>“I'm not organized, I'm not always the most patient, but I do know what makes a good teacher,” she said, starting her list. “One: you have to have the willingness to form a relationship with the kids; two: you have to love the age level you are working with and love the subject matter; and three: you have to be willing to grow professionally and never give up on your job or on the people you work with.”</p><p>And though these are the qualities that have guided her to be a state finalist for the award, she remains humble.</p><p>“I keep thinking, 'I don't have a master's (degree), I haven't written any books, I'm not published... I'm not big enough,'” she said. “But we're all girls from small towns and schools, and maybe we are big enough.”</p><p>In addition to Lafourche, the finalists are from Terrebonne Parish, Jefferson Davis Parish, St. Charles Parish and the Central Community School System.</p><p>“The teacher of the year should be a voice for kids and a voice for teachers, and that shouldn't be any different,” Williams said. “Whoever wins needs to be a voice for both. One can't succeed without the other.”</p><p>Although she has no idea who will win the award, she said, any of the candidates would fit that mold.</p><p>“But if I do win,” she said, “it would be a really cool way to end my career.”</p>